Smart Computer Security Audit: Reinforcement Learning with a Deep Neural Network Approximator

A significant challenge in modern computer security is the growing skill gap as intruder capabilities increase, making it necessary to begin automating elements of penetration testing so analysts can contend with the growing number of cyber threats. In this paper, we attempt to assist human analysts by automating a single host penetration attack. To do so, a smart agent performs different attack sequences to find vulnerabilities in a target system. As it does so, it accumulates knowledge, learns new attack sequences and improves its own internal penetration testing logic. As a result, this agent (AgentPen for simplicity) is able to successfully penetrate hosts it has never interacted with before. A computer security administrator using this tool would receive a comprehensive, automated sequence of actions leading to a security breach, highlighting potential vulnerabilities, and reducing the amount of menial tasks a typical penetration tester would need to execute. To achieve autonomy, we apply an unsupervised machine learning algorithm, Q-learning, with an approximator that incorporates a deep neural network architecture. The security audit itself is modelled as a Markov Decision Process in order to test a number of decisionmaking strategies and compare their convergence to optimality. A series of experimental results is presented to show how this approach can be effectively used to automate penetration testing using a scalable, i.e. not exhaustive, and adaptive approach

Мовний субкод молоді в германістиці: терміновживання та дефініція (Young people’s language subcode in germanistics: term use and definition)

Стаття присвячена дослідженню мовного субкоду молоді як одній з актуальних проблем в сучасній германістиці. Автор здійснює аналіз праць зарубіжних і вітчизняних науковців з метою встановлення основних ознак даноголінгвістичного явища та доречності використання для його позначення термінів «мова», «жаргон», «соціолект» і «сленг». Вивчення дефініцій дозволяє зробити висновок, що мовному субкоду молоді характерні стилістична заниженість, вживання в усному спілкуванні, тематична обмеженість, вторинність найменування та експресивне забарвлення вокабуляру, вираження протесту як мотив використання, групова гетерогенність. Найбільш вірними для його опису вважаємо терміни «жаргон» і «сленг». (The article deals with the study of young people’s language subcode as one of the urgent issues in modern Germanistics. The author analyses the works of foreign and domestic scientists to determine the main features of this linguistic phenomenon and relevance of designating it as «language», «jargon», «social dialect» and «slang». Scientific papers of different years demonstrate the existence of different viewpoints and approaches in the given research field. Young people’s language subcode is not a separate language, but a component of the German language system. Its peculiarities are represented primarily on lexical-semantic level and in violation of phonological and syntactical rules of standard German. An important determinant for existence of young communicants’ specific vocabulary is their need for protest. Young people use their language subcode in informal communication, outside the sphere of official activities or education. Equal status of communication partners, their belongingness to a group play an important role. There are many varieties of young people’s language subcode because of heterogeneity of the given social and age group. Youth words are used in the life spheres, which are the most relevant for young people. These lexical units are results of secondary nomination, substituting standard German vocabulary. They are formed by metaphorizing, word-building or borrowing, their main feature is expressive colouring. Many researchers emphasize pejorative character of youth vocabulary, a lot of rude words and expressions. The most relevant terms to describe young people’s language subcode are «jargon» and «slang». It is also correct to determine this linguistic phenomenon as social dialect.

Smart Security Audit: Reinforcement Learning with a Deep Neural Network Approximator

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Evaluation of the microstructure and mechanical properties of a new modified cast and laser-melted AA7075 alloy

The mechanical properties and microstructure of as-cast and homogenized AA7075 were investigated. This alloy was modified by adding transition elements 0.3%Sc + 0.5%Zr, 1%Ti + 0.2%B, and 1%Fe + 1%Ni for use in additive manufacturing applications. After adding Ti + B and Sc + Zr, the structure became uniform and finer with the formation of the Al3(Sc, Zr) and TiB2 phases. Coarse structures were obtained with the formation of an extremely unfavorable morphology, close to a needle-like structure when Fe + Ni was added. The mechanical properties of the modified alloys were increased compared to those of the standard alloy, where the best ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and yield strength (YS) were obtained in the AA7075-TiB alloy compared to the standard alloy in as-cast and homogenized conditions, and the highest hardness value was provided by Fe + Ni additives. The effect of the laser melting process on the microstructure and mechanical properties was investigated. Single laser melts were performed on these alloys using 330 V and a scanning speed of 8 mm/s. During the laser melting, the liquation of the alloying elements occurred due to non-equilibrium solidification. A change in the microstructures was observed within the melt zone and heat-affected zone (HAZ). The hardness of the laser-melted zone (LMZ) after adding the modification elements was increased in comparison with that of the standard alloy. Corrosion testing was performed using a solution of 100 mL distilled water, 3.1 g NaCl, and 1 mL HCl over 5, 10, and 30 min and 1 and 2 h. The corrosion resistance of the alloy modified with FeNi was low because of the non-uniform elemental distribution along the LMZ, but in the case of modification with ScZr and TiB, the corrosion resistance was better compared to that of the standard alloy. © 2019 by the authors.Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian FederationThe author (Asmaa M. Khalil) gratefully acknowledges financial support from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation in the framework of Increase Competitiveness Program of MISiS (Support project for young research engineers)

Proceedings of the joint Russian-American hydrogeology seminar

Hydrogeology research has been very active in both Russia and the US because of the concerns for migration of radioactive and chemical contaminants in soils and geologic formations, as well as for water problems related to mining and other industrial operations. Russian hydrogeologists have developed various analysis and field testing techniques, sometimes in parallel with US counterparts. These Proceedings come out of a Seminar held to bring together a small group (about 15) of active Russian researchers in geologic flow and transport associated with the disposal of radioactive and chemical wastes either on the soils or through deep injection wells, with a corresponding group (about 25) of American hydrogeologists. The meeting was intentionally kept small to enable informal, detailed and in-depth discussions on hydrogeological issues of common interest. Out of this interaction, the authors hope that, firstly, they will have learned from each other and secondly, that research collaborations will be established where there is the opportunity. This proceedings presents the summaries and viewgraphs from the presentations. What cannot be conveyed here is the warm and cooperative atmosphere of these interactions, both inside and outside the formal sessions, which may well lead to future collaborations

Механические свойства и электропроводность холоднодеформированного сплава Al–Y–Sc–Er

Aluminum alloys alloyed with rare earth and transition metal are promising materials for electric energy transportation due to their high properties of strength, thermal stability, and electrical conductivity. The features of strengthening, their mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of Al–0.2Y–0.2Sc–0.3Er alloy after cold rolling have been established. The alloy as a cast structure is presented by aluminum solid solution (Al) and dispersed eutectics with τ2 (Al75-76Er11-17Y7-14) phase upon complete dissolution of scandium in (Al), and a content of yttrium and erbium at the level of 0.2–0.3 % each. Cold rolling the ingot accelerates strengthening upon annealing at 270 and 300 °C, reducing the time of achieving peak hardness. The maximum strengthening due to precipitation of L12 dispersoid of Al3(Sc,Y,Er) phase with the average particle size up to 10 nm is achieved after 7 h of annealing at 300 °C after cold rolling. This shows the prevailing heterogeneous mechanism of nucleation due to defects accumulated during cold rolling which stimulates strengthening. The eutectic particles are located mainly along the boundaries, elongated in the rolling direction. Irrespective of the mode of sheet fabrication, the alloy demonstrates high thermal stability up to 400 °C. During annealing of the sheets to 450 °C, their non-recrystallized structure is retained. Ingot annealing at t = 300 °C in 7 h and cold rolling with subsequent annealing under the same conditions provide a high level of mechanical properties and electrical conductivity: σ0.2 = 194 MPa, σu = 210 MPa, δ = 12.1 % and IACS – 60,1 %. The alloy has demonstrated high yield stress up to 100 h of annealing at t = 300 °C.Алюминиевые сплавы, легированные редкоземельными и переходными металлами, являются перспективными материалами для транспортировки электроэнергии ввиду высоких показателей прочности, термической стабильности и электропроводности. В работе определены особенности упрочнения, механические свойства и электропроводность сплава Al–0,2Y–0,2Sc–0,3Er после холодной прокатки. Литая структура сплава представлена алюминиевым твердым раствором (Al) и дисперсной эвтектикой с фазой τ2 (Al75-76Er11-17Y7-14) при полном растворении скандия в (Al) и содержании иттрия и эрбия на уровне 0,2–0,3 % каждого. Холодная прокатка слитка ускоряет упрочнение при отжиге при температурах 270 и 300 °C, уменьшая время достижения пиковой твердости. Максимальное упрочнение за счет выделения L12-дисперсоидов фазы Al3(Sc,Y,Er) со средним размером частиц до 10 нм достигается после 7 ч отжига при температуре 300 °С после холодной прокатки, что говорит о превалировании гетерогенного механизма зарождения за счет дефектов, накопленных в процессе холодной прокатки, стимулирующих упрочнение. Частицы эвтектики располагаются преимущественно вдоль границ, вытягиваясь в направлении прокатки, и вне зависимости от режима получения листа сплав демонстрирует высокую термическую стабильность до 400 °С. В процессе отжига листов до 450 °С сохраняется нерекристаллизованная структура. Отжиг слитка при t = 300 °С в течение 7 ч и холодная прокатка с последующим отжигом в тех же условиях обеспечивают высокий уровень механических свойств и электропроводности: σ0,2 = 194 МПа, σв = 210 МПа, δ = 12,1 % и IACS – 60,1 %. Сплав продемонстрировал высокую стабильность предела текучести вплоть до 100 ч отжига при t = 300 °С

Key aspects of the formation of underground points for maintenance and refueling of mining self-propelled equipment

Due to the widespread introduction of self-propelled mining equipment at Kryvbass mines advised versions of underground service points and mining equipment refueling are proposed. The main directions of the proposed options are increasing safety during maintenance of mining machines, as well as a decreasing in fire hazard at refueling machines at underground conditions.У зв’язку з широким впровадженням на шахтах Кривбасу самохідного гірничого обладнання запропоновані вдосконалені варіанти підземних пунктів обслуговування та заправляння гірничошахтної техніки. Головними аспектами впровадження запропонованих варіантів є підвищення безпеки при обслуговуванні гірничих машин, а також зменшення пожежонебезпеки при заправлянні машин у підземних умовах.В связи с широким внедрением на шахтах Кривбасса самоходного горного оборудования предложены усовершенствованные варианты подземных пунктов обслуживания и заправки горношахтной техники. Основными аспектами внедрения предложенных вариантов являются повышение безопасности при обслуживании горных машин, а также уменьшение пожароопасности при заправке машин в подземных условиях

EFFECT OF Y ON MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF Al–Mg–Mn–Zr–Sc–Y ALLOY

The influence of Y on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Al–Mg–Mn–Zr–Sc alloy is investigated. The grain size of the Al–Mg–Mn–Zr–Sc–Y alloy was 45 μm. Al3Mg2, Al3Y and ternary AlMgY phases were formed in the as cast condition. High hardening effect in 64HV was obtained after rolling. The optimal combination of strength and plasticity was achieved after annealing at 150 °C: YS = 365 MPa, UTS = 423 MPa and El. = 8.3 %.Исследовано влияние Y на микроструктуру и механические свойства сплава Al–Mg–Mn–Zr–Sc. Размер зерна сплава Al–Mg–Mn–Zr–Sc–Y составлял 45 мкм. Al3Mg2, Al3Y и тройные фазы AlMgY были сформированы в условиях отливки. После прокатки был получен высокотвердый эффект в 64HV. Оптимальное сочетание прочности и пластичности было достигнуто после отжига при 150 ° C: σ0,2 = 365 МПа, σв = 423 МПа и δ = 8,3 %